"Unless a tree has borne blossoms in spring, you will vainly look for fruit on it in autumn." Walter Scott
This is the week that the cherry blossoms are in fully bloom in Japan and Washington D.C. It is the most beautiful sight to see all those pink blossoms along the Potomac
River. I worked in Baltimore, Maryland for a short time and was delighted to take the journey to Washington D.C. to stroll along the banks of the river under the cherry blossoms.
When I was a child growing up, we had a cherry tree in our backyard, planted when my younger sister was born. It gave shade in the summertime and beautiful blossoms in the spring. It marked the beginning of spring and reminded me that summer was just around the corner.
The significance of the cherry blossom tree in Japanese culture goes back hundreds of years. The cherry blossom represents the fragility and the beauty of life. Unfortunately the blossoms are tragically short. Now is the time to get out and enjoy the beauty of the blossoms!
Tuesday, April 14, 2015
Monday, April 13, 2015
Look good, feel better
"While dealing with cancer every patient need a makeover for the spirit...and that's a beautiful thing!" American Cancer Society
Today I participated in a program called "Look Good Feel Better". It's a program offered by the American Cancer Society. The program helps women manage the appearance related to side effects from chemotherapy and radiation treatment. This is a hands-on workshop provided by certified cosmetologist who offer makeup, hair, skin, and nail-care tips and advice.
The best part of the program is that all participants receive FREE make-up and skincare tool kits. All the products are full size name-brand make-up and skincare.
It was a one and half hour workshop where you get to ask an expert about skin and hair changes that cancer treatment can cause. They also gave advice on head coverings, including, hats, wigs and scarfs.
Registration in advance is required. To find out where this program is offered in your area, call 1-800-227-2345.
Just as the weather is changing it's a great time to revitalize your appearance! ENJOY!
Today I participated in a program called "Look Good Feel Better". It's a program offered by the American Cancer Society. The program helps women manage the appearance related to side effects from chemotherapy and radiation treatment. This is a hands-on workshop provided by certified cosmetologist who offer makeup, hair, skin, and nail-care tips and advice.
The best part of the program is that all participants receive FREE make-up and skincare tool kits. All the products are full size name-brand make-up and skincare.
It was a one and half hour workshop where you get to ask an expert about skin and hair changes that cancer treatment can cause. They also gave advice on head coverings, including, hats, wigs and scarfs.
Registration in advance is required. To find out where this program is offered in your area, call 1-800-227-2345.
Just as the weather is changing it's a great time to revitalize your appearance! ENJOY!
Saturday, April 11, 2015
Rainbow
"Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass. it's learning to dance in the rain."
Unknown
The last two days here in New England have been very deary, filled with fog, rain and gloom. My spirit has been low because I have not felt well but I also feel think the weather has not helped. To my surprise this morning when I woke up I looked out into the horizon and saw a rainbow! Just the sight of it lifted my spirit.
This sight brought comfort to me, as I felt like a leaf falling off the tree making room for spring growth. I realized that only by facing the gloom of the day and seeing the rainbow I began to feel the passion for being alive.
There are days when I don't want to think about pain and cancer, rather I would like to see the rainbow and the hope it brings for rebirth.
Unknown
The last two days here in New England have been very deary, filled with fog, rain and gloom. My spirit has been low because I have not felt well but I also feel think the weather has not helped. To my surprise this morning when I woke up I looked out into the horizon and saw a rainbow! Just the sight of it lifted my spirit.
This sight brought comfort to me, as I felt like a leaf falling off the tree making room for spring growth. I realized that only by facing the gloom of the day and seeing the rainbow I began to feel the passion for being alive.
There are days when I don't want to think about pain and cancer, rather I would like to see the rainbow and the hope it brings for rebirth.
Wednesday, April 8, 2015
Chronic Illness
"Life with a chronic illness is a struggle to say the least. A struggle to get dressed, look like I'm awake, smile when I want to cry and get up when I want nothing more than to stay in bed and sleep the day away....But I still refuse to sink."
The last couple of days have been both up and down. I feel stressed and have not felt like blogging. I believe that my body knows I have five days until I receive my flasdex injection that help block the hormone that allows my breast cancer to growth. It feels like my last shot is wearing off and I am feeling more pain as a result.
I am trying to keep things in perspective. I am trying to accept that everyday is not the 4th of July and that some days I just don't feel good. Today is one of those days.
I have decided that is ok not to pretend that all is well. Tomorrow is another day and I'm sure I will feel better!
The last couple of days have been both up and down. I feel stressed and have not felt like blogging. I believe that my body knows I have five days until I receive my flasdex injection that help block the hormone that allows my breast cancer to growth. It feels like my last shot is wearing off and I am feeling more pain as a result.
I am trying to keep things in perspective. I am trying to accept that everyday is not the 4th of July and that some days I just don't feel good. Today is one of those days.
I have decided that is ok not to pretend that all is well. Tomorrow is another day and I'm sure I will feel better!
Tuesday, April 7, 2015
Fairy Tales
"Where there is flowers there is hope."
Lady Bird Johnson, First Lady of the United States
Well today I saw the first crocus of the season, leading me to feel hope that spring is on it's way. I feel the transformation from winter to spring is like a fairy tale where Cinderella is touched by a magic wand and whisked off to the palace as a completed, transformed princess. In actually that is not realistic but when I saw the crocus I felt that instant transformation of winter to spring.
I believe that true transformation is not a slow, gradual growth but an instant change that happens right before my eyes. Last week we had snow covering the ground and today there is little signs of the harsh winter we had here in the northeast.
My cancer is also one of those transformations where one day I feel great, healed only to have a bad day where every inch of my body hurts. I only wish I had that magic wand that transforms me into a healthy specimen. The reality is that I have to take my cancer one day at a time and believe a better day is coming. Here is to tomorrow and a fairy tale come true.
Lady Bird Johnson, First Lady of the United States
Well today I saw the first crocus of the season, leading me to feel hope that spring is on it's way. I feel the transformation from winter to spring is like a fairy tale where Cinderella is touched by a magic wand and whisked off to the palace as a completed, transformed princess. In actually that is not realistic but when I saw the crocus I felt that instant transformation of winter to spring.
I believe that true transformation is not a slow, gradual growth but an instant change that happens right before my eyes. Last week we had snow covering the ground and today there is little signs of the harsh winter we had here in the northeast.
My cancer is also one of those transformations where one day I feel great, healed only to have a bad day where every inch of my body hurts. I only wish I had that magic wand that transforms me into a healthy specimen. The reality is that I have to take my cancer one day at a time and believe a better day is coming. Here is to tomorrow and a fairy tale come true.
Saturday, April 4, 2015
Easter
"In your Easter bonnet with all the frills upon it,
You'll be the grandest lady in the Easter parade."
Irving Berlin, "Easter Parade"
Easter is my favorite holiday, one reason is because I was born on Easter Sunday and always thought it was a honor. Easter is the oldest festival on the Christian calendar and what many associate with the beginning of spring. For me the other greatest gift of Easter is hope.
In my opinion hope is an essential element for dealing with cancer. Hope and healthy life choices in my opinion yields benefits in every area of my life. I have made a decision not to face my problems from fear and just as Jesus showed millions when he sacrificed himself on the crucifix, life can reveal hope. This is not meant to be a religious blog about Jesus, but a blog about the hope that I feel results when your mind and spirit is aligned in the same light.
What every you religious or atheist belief you may have, I wish you hope and peace in a world that has a lot of hate and fear. Happy Spring!
You'll be the grandest lady in the Easter parade."
Irving Berlin, "Easter Parade"
Easter is my favorite holiday, one reason is because I was born on Easter Sunday and always thought it was a honor. Easter is the oldest festival on the Christian calendar and what many associate with the beginning of spring. For me the other greatest gift of Easter is hope.
In my opinion hope is an essential element for dealing with cancer. Hope and healthy life choices in my opinion yields benefits in every area of my life. I have made a decision not to face my problems from fear and just as Jesus showed millions when he sacrificed himself on the crucifix, life can reveal hope. This is not meant to be a religious blog about Jesus, but a blog about the hope that I feel results when your mind and spirit is aligned in the same light.
What every you religious or atheist belief you may have, I wish you hope and peace in a world that has a lot of hate and fear. Happy Spring!
Wednesday, April 1, 2015
Code of Conduct
"All beings want to be happy. Yet finding happiness is often not as simple as it appears." Dalai Lama of Tibet
Today I went to my weekly cancer support group at the library. The topic of the day was about the will to live and the reasons why we really wanted to live. The narrator of the group was a clinical therapist who explained her thoughts about how to prolong your life while fighting cancer. An important point she made was that it is natural for most people to resist death but while fighting cancer it is also natural to feel depressed and lacking at times to want to go on fighting with the pain, stress and exhaustion. She also pointed out that people seek happiness in many different was, yet the desired result frequently remains elusive. Most people look to their jobs, children, relationships or a hundred others places for fulfillment and happiness. These solutions may work for at least a short time, however, the long term affect lies in finding your deeper needs, priorities and true purpose in life. Not an easy task for most of us.
The exercise she gave us was to write down a list of how we want to be remember when you are gone. At first this seemed a little morbid but once I started writing my list I began to see that I had good intentions but need to work harder to achieve this list. This is my list:
1. Someone who was trustworthy
2. A good mother, wife, sister and friend
3. Someone who could laugh at themselves
4. Someone who was compassionate
5. A women who true to her word and committed to her word as her bond
6. A caring human who is generous with my time
7. A good listener
8. Someone who has a good sense of humor.
This was a good exercise for me and I urge other to try it. I know where I can improve and where some of these things can help me find happiness.
Today I went to my weekly cancer support group at the library. The topic of the day was about the will to live and the reasons why we really wanted to live. The narrator of the group was a clinical therapist who explained her thoughts about how to prolong your life while fighting cancer. An important point she made was that it is natural for most people to resist death but while fighting cancer it is also natural to feel depressed and lacking at times to want to go on fighting with the pain, stress and exhaustion. She also pointed out that people seek happiness in many different was, yet the desired result frequently remains elusive. Most people look to their jobs, children, relationships or a hundred others places for fulfillment and happiness. These solutions may work for at least a short time, however, the long term affect lies in finding your deeper needs, priorities and true purpose in life. Not an easy task for most of us.
The exercise she gave us was to write down a list of how we want to be remember when you are gone. At first this seemed a little morbid but once I started writing my list I began to see that I had good intentions but need to work harder to achieve this list. This is my list:
1. Someone who was trustworthy
2. A good mother, wife, sister and friend
3. Someone who could laugh at themselves
4. Someone who was compassionate
5. A women who true to her word and committed to her word as her bond
6. A caring human who is generous with my time
7. A good listener
8. Someone who has a good sense of humor.
This was a good exercise for me and I urge other to try it. I know where I can improve and where some of these things can help me find happiness.
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